Vacheron Constantin

Hi all,

Last year I wrote a post indicating the additions to my collection. This year I shall do the same.

In 2006 I had the good fortune to come close to “completing” my collection along the parameters that I had created in my mind. All that was missing was a tourbillon and a minute repeater, which are so expensive as to make one easily redefine one’s parameters!

Still, I really wanted a tourbillon. VC offers two basic choices: the Malte line and the Lemania twin-barrel ebauche line that had been discontinued, but whose models occasionally show up at auction or at secondary dealers. I was willing to wait a while to see what would come available.

While I waited, I realized that a “complete” collection becomes static and so less interesting: The hunt is more fun than the having! So after stuggling with my ideas and ideals about my collection, as well as my desire not to commit new money to the already considerable sums I had put into watches, I decided to blow up my collection, keeping only the watches that really speak to me (I will share the watches that survived the cut in a future post), and using the funds to buy new watches.

In selling off many of my VC’s I also entertained thoughts about breaking my VC-only collecting discipline. And break that discipline I did! I ordered a tourbillon from someone else, putting a deposit on it with an expected delivery late in 2008. All I really own at this point are a few pinions and staffs in progress:




a couple of barrels:




a really rough winding stem:




some unfinished plates:



and a couple of screws that will hold it all together:




That’s not the only non-VC I got! While in the course of selling my VC’s I took in trade a Rolex. I have always admired the brand, though I had never owned one, even in the days before I went VC exclusive. I have never been a big fan of the cycloptic date, so the Sea-Dweller suited me perfectly:




Still, I sold it at the end of summer once I had no more need for a bracelet watch. I liked having it, and might “rent” one again next summer!

I returned to the fold with my next watch; another Overseas Chronograph in the old style:




This model with the arabics is so different in affect from the silver dial chronograph that I just had to have it.

But I wasn’t done yet! Not content with one large-date chronograph for 2007, I just had to buy another:




I love this watch! Mine keeps great time and the start function is so smooth, without any jump in the chronograph hand, that one would think the movement employs a vertical clutch (it does not). I challenge VC to make a more beautiful and well-adjusted chronograph with thier own movement. If they can do this to my satisfaction then I will sell the Lange to buy the VC.

So folks, that is the state of WHL’s watch union. These are exciting times. Please share the story of your collection, because the process is just as much fun to follow as the products themselves.


Bill

The Story of a collection is something always very interesting, as it describes all the situations you were in, and the processus
in which you elaborate it.
I try to build my collection step by step.
I was lucky enough to sell a lot of Panerai from my collection, and to fund other watches, as I always was interested by ALL the brands.
I sold too some Rolex.
Then I decided to balance my collection, picking some very nice watches.
Some I already owned, like the U.N Sonata or The Freak ,others I hunted, like some very fine JLC timepieces, or the Lange Dato, or, again, some Pateks..
I made some mistakes selling some pieces, like the VC Chrono Malte in White Gold.
So, 2007 was a very good year with some stunning and beautiful added.
2008 will be more difficult, as I hunt 2 VC, the Toledo Platinum and the Chrono Malte Platinum too.

I'd like to add a Langematik Anniversary to my Datograph, too.
And some fine JLC pieces, like the Duo Metre.
But the more pieces you have, the more difficult is to add one, because of the coherence of the collection.
I don't want to add just for add, but only if it brings something more to my collection that I miss or missed.
And 1st of all,if the new piece speaks loudly to me.
Best.
Nicolas

those are two fine (and rare) VC's you are seeking.

I agree that a watch has to "speak" to you. I found that in setting up collection goals I sometimes would buy a watch more for completing my ideas about the collection than because the watch spoke to me. I'm trying to correct that.


Bill

For me it seems the hunt is just as much fun aas the actual watch itself. Unfortunately for me I have never been able to enjoy any watch more than several years (like a car) and then turn my attention to the next new toy..

I love the Rose Lange chrono and have owned the plat version, my only problem with them is either my wrist is to small or their watch is to large. It just doesn't sit correctly so it ends up wobbling off to the side, so I sold it.

After 27 years I am just starting to get back into vacheron and enjoying it so much. The team (Julien & Russel) at V&C have made this a fun experience and look forward someday to having them buid me a specific watch to my own design....wonder how long that one will last??? And would anyone else want it???? Part of the fun that V&C is bringing back to watch collecting for me.

John

I agree that Julien and Russell are doing fine work here in the US.

It's been my experience that the Datograph sits well on my wrist. I do wonder if I would like the extra weight of it in platinum.

I would love to hear your story if you do choose to have a custom VC made for yourself.

Bill

Hey Guys,

This is an interesting topic, additions, subtractions, and where we see our collections going.  In recent years I paired down my collection and removed a few pieces that were not getting much wrist time, like a tutone Rolex Daytona.  I may also let my Explorer 1 go as it does not get much wrist time, but when I look at it I find it simple and handsome so its still with me. 

The only watch addition came late in December of 2006, my rose gold VC 1972.  I really liked this watch and putt off getting one until I heard they were no longer being made in rose gold...then the hunt was on.  I have to agree with another collector that posted that sometimes the hunt really adds to the fun or is a large part of getting the watch (I found this to be true with my Anniversary Submariner, and my SS Daytonas). 

For now I'm pretty Rolex'ed out, but I intend to keep most of what I have (there are 7).   I was not overwhelmed by the VC's that were released at the 2007 SIHH, so I am going to see what is released in '08.  The only watch I really liked was the RG Patrimony Traditionelle, with subdial at 9 o'clock.  Still I do find its winding crown to be a bit small.

I have also looked at some JLC Reversos.  I like the concept, but I have not yet found one that I really like enough to bring home.  I also have an eye toward an AP Royal Oak, but with no AD's nearby I'm in no rush.  Maybe the next time I'm in NYC I'll get to try on their revised Dual Time.  The current Overseas version is nice but with the single adjustment crown just above the winding crown it looks unbalanced to me...although the RG with chocolate dial is amazing.

A quick note to Bill:  If that Overseas Chrono came from our mutual AD across the Charles, I looked at that watch in February and considered it myself.  It looked to be a nice NOS piece that sat in their case for quite a while.  If thats the same watch, I'm glad it found a good home.

Best regards,

Dino944

I hope VC will introduce something to your taste this spring.

Bill

thanks for the post! This has been a very eventful year regarding my collection. I am expecting to
receive the final two acquisitions shortly, and will post details soon after.

Happy Holidays to everyone, and all the best for to New Year!

Tony C.

n

It is the human aspects of this hobby that make it more than just materialistic excess.

 

Cheers, and to a great 2008!

 

TM

Hi,

Nice story to read as it helps to see that we are not alone...

I entered three watches in the collection this year, and had to sell five to finance (welle that was not enough but....).

Those who left were watches that I was not wearing anymore, a pink gold Eterna 1948 3 hands (the first series re-edition, very beautiful but lacking the thrill of  a real purist calibre), a Glycine Altus (nice but too thick for my taste), an Ikepod (I have nothing against the 7750 but I don't want to see it), a Tudor Submariner 94010 (5513-like, I want a Rolex calibre someday but I'm stopped by the brand name on the watch, so I did the contrary of what I should have done, bought a Rolex without the brand name and ended up without the Rolex calibre), and the first beautiful watch I owned, a Zenith Prime that fortunately went between the hands of a fellow Purist.

Then three pieces replaced these five: two are known already, a Girard-Perregaux 49460, the classical chronograph in a modern expression, and the Amvox1 in steel. i'm very happy with these two and keep changing watches on my wrist.   It's hard to choose.

The third one is a Daniel Roth 177 in steel. Pure beauty, very precise (like my other two GP calibres), a delight to look at, a watch I'm proud to own. I love some more recent Daniel Roth watches like the Athys II but I feel that I have the original spirit of the Daniel Roth watches with the 177. A next one will certainly come but affordability is a matter and I have other priorities right now.

2008 will probably be quieter has I have no more watches to sell for now and I hope to be able to fund a new JLC Polaris. I have another project but it's a secret project for the time being. And who knows what can come?

Best wishes for 2008.

Dje

ps: can we know more about this tourbillon?

I see that 2007 was exciting for both of us on the watch front. I like those watches that you added to your collection.

Do you find, as I do, that you don't even miss the watches you sell? I liked having them and wearing them, but then I also like the new additions, perhaps even more for the fact that they are new.

My tourbillon is being made in Le Sentier. Is that enough of a hint for you?


Bill

Hi Bill,

Actually yes I have no regert about the watches that are gone. That was their time to go.

Le sentier! And you say you like my Daniel Roth!  Am I hot?

Cheers

Dje

I think you know precisely what I've ordered. Do you know the man?


Bill

Hi Bill,

Have you ordered a Jean Daniel Nicolas?

If that's the case you've ordered a really fascinating watch. And you're also contributing to the perpetuation of the art of one of a few of my great and real heroes of the modern watchmaking world.

I've never met Daniel Roth. I'd love to. His road has been long and hard but he has created so much.

What would be Breguet without him? Daniel Roth the brand? Would we have so many tourbillon watches today?

AFAIK he has remained out of the hype, for his good and bad fate, but certainly for my respect.

Let us know.

Dje

ps: if that's not him, who is he?

I too see Roth as an historical figure in modern horology. It has been a pleasure to communicate with him.

He as worked for brands and built a brand, and I think he is quite happy with how things are now, small and manageable.

I would love to meet you again in CH when I go to pick up the watch (hopefully later this year). I would be more than happy to introduce you to Daniel.


Bill

Hi Bill,

That's great that you ordered that one and that's great if we meet with him. 

Congratulations.

Dje